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Shopping Guide for San Francisco

I’m a San Francisco native, writer, and travel hound who has spent the last several years living, working, studying, and traveling through California, Hawaii, France, and beyond. My travel style? Going local, and delving deeper.

From the luxe designer stores of Union Square to the funky vintage shops of the Haight—and everything else in between—San Francisco has something to offer every kind of shopper.

Rachel H's City Tips

There is a 10-cent surcharge on all plastic shopping bags. Bring your own reusable bags to avoid the fee (and do your part for the environment!).

Consider buying a CityPASS for up to 7 days of unlimited transportation on the rail systems, buses, trolleys, and cable cars—plus admission to select museums.

Individual bus and Muni tickets are available, but be sure to carry exact fare, as you can't receive change on the bus.

Board buses at the front and exit from the middle, and let people off of the trains before you get on.

Be mindful of "The Tenderloin" neighborhood, several blocks west of Union Square. It can be a bit shady, especially at night.

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Union Square

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Rachel H Says:

Union Square is San Francisco’s quintessential shopping destination, where you’ll find all the name brands and luxury stores—everything from clothes and cosmetics to sports apparel or home décor. The square is ringed by big-name department stores (including Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barney’s, and Neiman Marcus), with the adjacent blocks housing designer brands such as Coach, Bulgari, Cartier, Diesel, and the list continues... San Francisco's own Levi's as a massive flagship store here, and you can find bargain fashion at H&M, get inspired about home decorating at Crate & Barrel, or stock up on beauty essentials at Sephora. Colorful flower stands and street performers add to the square's ambiance.

Good for

Must See

Luxury Traveller

Thrifty Traveller

Trendsetter

Like a Local

Shopping Fanatic

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

Choose from tons of restaurants and cafes around Union Square to fuel up for all that shopping.

During the holiday season, Union Square is especially festive, with its enormous tree as well as an ice skating rink!

Perched on the sixth floor of Macy's, the Burger Bar is a fun, casual spot where you can build your own burgers and then enjoy them with a side of Union Square views.

For some serious retail therapy, you can hit all your favorite stores in one fell swoop at the Westfield San Francisco Centre. Located a few blocks from Union Square, this impressive shopping mall is anchored by a massive four-story Nordstrom and an equally large Bloomingdale’s, plus Century Theatres and Bristol Farms gourmet grocery store. The wide range of high-end and casual stores includes Zara, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Rolex, Foot Locker, and many, many more.

Good for

Must See

Luxury Traveller

Shopping Fanatic

Thrifty Traveller

Trendsetter

Tips

Don't miss the extensive food court.

The mall connects directly to the Powell Street transit station via an underground entrance.

The Ferry Building Marketplace is heaven for foodies, locals and visitors alike, especially on farmers market days (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays). The indoor food hall is brimming with restaurants, and family-owned stores, offering up delicious local and regional specialties. You can browse loads of food vendors and shop for organic produce, colorful flower bouquets, fresh fish, artisanal breads, and specialty items like jams, olive oils, and chocolates.

Good for

Foodie

Must See

Luxury Traveller

Thrifty Traveller

Trendsetter

Like a Local

Shopping Fanatic

Nature Lover

Tips

Bring sturdy reusable bags for all your purchased goodies.

For the ultimate experience, visit during the Saturday farmers market, and get a made-to-order lunch to enjoy on the outdoor patio overlooking the Bay Bridge.

In addition to food shops, the Ferry Building is also home to an adorable book shop, Book Passage, locally made Heath Ceramics, and Sur la Table (aka "kitchen gadget heaven").

Hayes Valley's chic boutiques are the under-the-radar trendsetters of San Francisco fashion. There’s a French flair to this cozy, unpretentious community, so if you're in the mood for some macarons or a café au lait break during your shopping spree, this is your place. The fashion hotspots center around Octavia Boulevard and Hayes Street, with a variety of clothing boutiques, lots of shoe stores, and some upscale vintage shops peppered all around.

Named for its Bayside location, the trendy Marina District is known for chic boutiques, luxury spas and salons, and happening nightlife. The area caters to a younger, livelier crowd, with trendy stores like Brandy Melville, American Apparel, and Lululemon Athletica. Shop down Chestnut Street and Union Street, where you'll find Apple, Fleet Feet Sports, Benefit Cosmetics, Pottery Barn, and more. You’ll share the sidewalks with cheery joggers, dog walkers, and fitness hounds toting their yoga mats and fresh-pressed juices.

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Foodie

Luxury Traveller

Thrifty Traveller

Trendsetter

Like a Local

Shopping Fanatic

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

Tacolicious, Blue Barn Gourmet, The Tipsy Pig, and lots of other restaurants have great sidewalk patios where you can enjoy the (usually) sunny weather.

Street parking can be difficult, so take a taxi or bus to the area. Start on Union Street and then work your way over to Chestnut, which is closer to the water.

Recognizable by a black-and-white awning, Ambiance on Union Street is a local favorite with a great range of designer labels and unique, affordable duds—plus awesome accessories!

With stellar views and (often) sunshine, the Marina Green is a nice place to rest your feet after a long day of shopping.

The epicenter of the 1960s' hippie movement, Haight Street is San Francisco’s most eclectic and perennially busy shopping stretch. The vibe here is fun, funky, and friendly. Mixed in with remnants of the counterculture era—think psychedelic murals, smoke shops, tattoo and piercing salons, and street performers (plus the occasional panhandler)—you'll find ultra-cool vintage shops, trendy consignment stores, indie bookshops, quirky costume stores, and jewelry and incense stands. Amoeba Records music store is one of the biggest tourist draws, and cafes along the way are great for people-watching.

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Must See

Like a Local

History Buff

Thrill Seeker

Shopping Fanatic

Art and Architecture Lover

Nightlife Seeker

Foodie

LGBT

Beach Goer

Thrifty Traveller

Trendsetter

Friends

Couples

Family

Tips

Weekends bring the biggest crowds, so plan your visit for a weekday to take advantage of more elbow room.

Haight runs into Golden Gate Park, so you can start on Lower Haight, and explore the park, or spend the morning in the park (sans shopping bags) and then work down Haight.

Citrus Club, on Upper Haight, is a yummy noodle shop to fuel your shopping, or you can enjoy tapas at Cha Cha Cha.

There’s no better place to pick up souvenirs, exotic gifts, and trinkets than in San Francisco's Chinatown—the oldest Chinatown in North America and home to the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. Enter through the Dragon Gates and spend an afternoon wandering down the lantern-strung streets, lined with ornate lampposts and pagoda roofs. You can hone your bargaining skills with local vendors selling everything you can imagine, from herbal teas to silk robes to regal antique furniture. And, of course, you'll find some of the most authentic (and cheapest) Chinese food around.

Good for

Foodie

Must See

Thrifty Traveller

Like a Local

History Buff

Thrill Seeker

Shopping Fanatic

Art and Architecture Lover

Nightlife Seeker

Nature Lover

Tips

Visit on weekdays to avoid the big tourist crowds (although it will almost always be crowded here).

Check opening times; many shops don't open until 10am and close in the early evening.

Bring cash.

Venture down the side alleys, where you'll find hidden local treasures like the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.

City Lights is one of the greatest independent bookstores in the country, and certainly San Francisco’s most famous. A crown jewel of the North Beach neighborhood, this store spawned out of the Beat Generation—a free-spirited, anti-establishment cultural and literary movement of the 1950s (think Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road')—and its publishing arm is famed for a free-speech win after Allen Ginsberg's 'Howl' was published. Today, the intimate three-level store offers classic, new-release, and hard-to-find books in just about any genre you can think up.

Good for

Peace and Quiet Seeker

Must See

Like a Local

History Buff

Shopping Fanatic

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

Open until 12am, the shop is perfect for late-night book browsing.

Don't miss the atmospheric Beat poetry nook on the top level.

After perusing the stacks, head to Caffe Trieste. A former Beat haunt, the neighborhood mainstay is a great place to sip cappuccino (or Chianti) and converse with the regulars.

For more on the Beats, check out the small Beat Museum down the street.

Posh Fillmore Street is the main shopping drag of the tony Pacific Heights neighborhood, and it's here that you'll find all things luxe—from interior design stores and art galleries to perfumeries and jewelers, with some hip restaurants thrown in. Charming, simple, and sophisticated, Fillmore Street caters to high-end shoppers. Get your glamor goods at Kiehl’s or L’Occitane; pick up the latest trends at Eileen Fisher, Betsey Johnson, or Marc by Marc Jacobs; and plot a little redecorating at Zinc Details, Design Within Reach, and other top-of-the-line stores.

Good for

Foodie

Luxury Traveller

Trendsetter

Like a Local

Shopping Fanatic

Art and Architecture Lover

Nightlife Seeker

Tips

Summertime shoppers: Look out for the annual Fillmore Jazz Festival, which overtakes Fillmore Street for several days in July.

Even if these shops are not in your budget, it's worth visiting the area for the people watching alone. Find a table on the sidewalk, sip a coffee, and enjoy the show!

Although not in San Francisco proper, the Alameda Point Antiques Faire is well worth the short drive or ferry ride across San Francisco Bay. One of the biggest and most impressive outdoor markets I've seen, this baby's got more than 800 booths selling vintage and antique art, home decorations, furniture, clothing, collectibles, and more. You are guaranteed to walk away with a treasure (or two, or three), and even if you don't, it's still a fantastic way to spend a Sunday—especially with the San Francisco skyline twinkling at you from across the water.